Jun 3, 2017 12:19
6 yrs ago
1 viewer *
Japanese term
脱構築性
Japanese to English
Art/Literary
Social Science, Sociology, Ethics, etc.
Can anyone understand explain what 脱構築性 means in this context? I understand 脱構築 as deconstruction, but what is the function of 性? My guess is that it means "possibility to deconstruct x" but I'm not sure. The term "deconstructivity" feels wrong and I can't find many relevant examples of its use.
Many thanks,
Nick
Many thanks,
Nick
Proposed translations
(English)
3 +2 | the 'deconstructability' of .... | Marc Brunet |
3 +1 | property of being able to deconstruct xxx | Port City |
Proposed translations
+2
1 hr
Selected
the 'deconstructability' of ....
As you said, would associate this term with the semantic approach of Jacques Derrida, which, as I understand it, approximates the meaning of words in context not simply in terms of "signifiant'' and 'signifié', but in a contrasted fashion (a bit like the way a Roget's Thesaurus is organised, among other things), based on the fact that what the signifié denotes is achieved not just directly by a reference to what it 'may' refer to, but indirectly as well by what, on the face of it, it does not refer to (and this, not just on the mental word map of the author, but on that of the reader as well, which may not necessarily match 100%, given the different background / views of each on the subject dealt with.)
So , would view this term as referring to the extent to which the semantic spread a particular (most probably abstract) term can be determined from its origin(s) and usage(s) in different contexts over time, in order to delimit its range and tighten its probably intended semantic focus, given the context considered.
It is clear that Derrida put the finger right on the importance and difficulty of achieving successful mutual understanding across social groups with different formations, interests and concerns.
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Note added at 1 day32 mins (2017-06-04 12:51:32 GMT)
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Sorry, Nick. Had week-end commitments to attend to but will have a go at the new phrasing challenge you mention and get back with some suggestion, if you leave me the time to do so.
But thanks for your first response. Just one follow-up remark for now:
Translated into French this specialist term could pass, if the paper has been meant for a readership of academic intellectuals. But into English, we must try to localise it by expanding this single pretty condensed Noun into a rhetorical interrogative sentence or clause, perhaps, that everybody can understand, Of course if the rest of the paper is in that dry and abstract vein, that would break up the consistency of the style and, to avoid that, induce you to 'localise' the expression of the whole paper to the British way of doing it. Rephrasing the literal translation in explanatory footnotes could be another way of making that paper more digestible; but isn't the real function of the translator to achieve a successful communication to the target of the source's intended contents?
Short of sufficient context info, the literal translation I suggested of the Japanese term you singled out (itself is a literal translation of the original French term, let's face it). To use it ‘as such’ would be a double cope-out, passing on the buck for the reader(s) to interpret in whatever way he/they wish. Is that the purpose of the paper?
It’s interesting! for we have here a concrete example of a communication that requires ‘deconstructing’ (breaking down) to weigh the influence of the various human factors (t.b.d) that may have contributed to the production of this paper, and to what effect so far as the chosen wording of that communication. But enough said for now. Back to work.
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Note added at 1 day4 hrs (2017-06-04 16:20:15 GMT)
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Nope again! My rambling on the suitability of the term ‘deconstructability’ which applied to the meaning of communications is not relevant to your context, since it applies to Art, as you since told us.
The phrase “deconstructed art work” becomes perfectly clear once one takes a look at some of the works (paintings, ceramics, installations) produced in that creative vein of inspiration.
Some of these viewed online are not just unexpected collages or associations of subjects / ideas; they can actually blow away to smithereens not just our established notions of congruence, (received or acquired through living) (https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/victorian-china ) )but even the normalcy of our perceptions (https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/melted-ceramic-art .
This is a great fun game, with infinite possibilities, unsettling us, mixing the attributes of any object in combinations or positions not seen for nearly a century.
Yet we can see why this paper chooses to examine whether this more recent form of Art does/will contribute to the cultural enrichment of the established society, or undermine the order of its structures and its authority [権力]`. Why so? Because, apart from its gleeful play with images and symbols, when these ‘transmuted presentations’ change from amusingly gratuitous to ‘conceptual’ , then they can become a significant channel to sling officialdom with subversive or polemic messages (http://www.imgrum.org/media/1273538935989446228_2918744584). In a manner not at all acerbic but insidiously dangerous from the Establishment’s view point, the zest of this Art movement for creative chaos to stimulate new forms of expression (http://neosurrealism.artdigitaldesign.com/modern-artists/?ar... ) is what caused the German fascist regime to reject any unconventional form of art (Painting: (Cubism) and Music (Shostakovich)) as “decadent” and a potential corruption of the people’s mind.
Note from asker:
Thank you, Marc. After reading your explanation and a bit of research, I agree that the term "deconstructability" is the right one. The next challenge is how to frame the sentence so that the "deconstructability of the powers" is interwoven/incorporated within the "diverse imaginative power of art." If deconstructability = ability to deconstruct (i.e. via the semantic approach), then it could be framed as "x allows for the deconstruction of y." The other problem is that "power" is being used in plural form which makes me want to add "structures" or "relations" after it. |
4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer.
Comment: "Thank you for all the helpful insight and background work. I just realized that I forgot to post the original sentence in the post. アートが持つ多義的な想像力の中に、それら権力の脱構築性が織り込まれうるかを鑑みる。The potential to deconstruct these powers"
+1
9 hrs
property of being able to deconstruct xxx
~性 means "property of being able to ~" just like 移動性 (mobility) means property of being able to move.
So, 脱構築性 means property of being able to deconstruct xxx.
So, 脱構築性 means property of being able to deconstruct xxx.
Note from asker:
Thank you. So it means ability to or potential for deconstructing x. In other words deconstructability as suggested by Marc is more or less interchangeable with "ability/possibility/potential" to deconstruct. I would also like to ask what you think about 権力 here. "Power" feels too abstract to deconstruct (it doesn't have a structure), so I want to use "power structures" or "power relations." But how do you feel about that as a native speaker. I'm sorry to bother you with a follow up question! |
Peer comment(s):
agree |
DPurohit (X)
15 days
|
Thank you!
|
Reference comments
12 hrs
Reference:
FYR
http://www.sotokoto.net/jp/talk/index.php?id=7
http://artscape.jp/artword/index.php/脱構築
https://detail.chiebukuro.yahoo.co.jp/qa/question_detail/q10...
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Note added at 12時間 (2017-06-04 01:04:09 GMT)
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http://artscape.jp/artword/index.php/異化効果
http://artscape.jp/artword/index.php/脱構築
https://detail.chiebukuro.yahoo.co.jp/qa/question_detail/q10...
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Note added at 12時間 (2017-06-04 01:04:09 GMT)
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http://artscape.jp/artword/index.php/異化効果
Discussion
to consider whether the capacity to deconstruct this power can be captured within the richly subjective imaginative potential that art holds.
アートが持つ多義的な想像力の中に、それら権力の脱構築性が織り込まれうるかを鑑みる。
May I suggest one thing? Wouldn’t this thought make even better sense if read as …それら[が] 権力の…?
It would, since it would balance and close the introductory range opened up before with の中に、
IMHO, this [が] is skipped. If so, what それら refers to has to be inferred from the broader discourse. To me それら could refer either to 多義的想像 or to the particular Artwork commented on that expresses it.
Would the following interpretation fit that dicsourse? (Sorry, it is only a ‘transcreation’ rough, but the Japanese original is so succinct, I feel the English need more words to make it clear. If you see it my way, this try would need more work to make that a really tight ‘translation’, Anyway, here it is. ( Pleae, post us your edited final, if you care to.
“Among the multifarious dimensions of meaning that the Artist can, through the power of imagination, weave into his creations, one may wonder whether some, [perceivable in this case], might not convey a deconstructive streak intended at the Authorities.”
本稿の目的は、日本のアートプロジェクト(art project)を事例とした実証研究を通じて、社会関与の芸術がグローバルかつローカルな社会構造と権力の中で隆盛していることを明らかにし、また、それら社会構造や権力に対して、人々の想像力を介したアートが、いかなる関与の技法を持つかを論じていくことにある。
Hope this helps!